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IS THERE A CRACK IN THE SHARK TANK?

Posted by bigD | May 4, 2007 .

Due to me being so hesitant on the Detroit Lions drafting yet another WR (despite the fact that Calvin Johnson is an absolute freak for his size), I’m not going to get into that issue. Even still, Drew Stanton in the 2nd round??? Who’s kidding who? Ok enough about that before I lose it. It’s time for some HOCKEYTOWN TALK! Here’s what I think of the Red Wings/Sharks series thus far…

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This has really been a weird series so far. To the casual viewer, San Jose could very easily be moving on to the Western Conference Finals by now and Detroit could just as easily be unpacking their lockers for the year but it hasn’t exactly happened that way.

I think San Jose really surprised Detroit in Game 1. They came out determined to get the early lead and they did but scoring two goals so close together time wise really did in the Wings. The Sharks didn’t try to do anymore then that either. They started playing back. They tried to protect goalie, Evgeni Nabokov and they frustrated Detroit who got nothing through. Game 2 was pretty much the same as Game 1 in that San Jose built the early lead and kept it for the most part. Late heroics by both Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg brought Detroit back but everyone was saying the comeback was a fluke and Detroit was in serious trouble. Going to San Jose, things looked glim although tied at 1-1. Even still, I think the Sharks were kicking themselves knowing they should have Detroit 2-0. You can’t keep giving the Detroit Red Wings comeback opportunities, but another would come…

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Game 3 in San Jose told a bit of a different story. The Wings came out flying to start (they peppered Nabokov and finally got an early lead behind a Nik Lidstrom goal) but died at the end. It seemed like it was all San Jose when it counted the most as they skated off with a 2-1 victory. I clearly think Wings goalie, Dominick Hasek (although he has made some big time saves) has let in some weak goals in this series including the go ahead goal on this night which I thought was a really weak rebound goal for San Jose that just didn’t cut it. I have to admit, things looked gloomy the way Game 4 started. San Jose built their usual, comfortable early lead and tried to defend it but I have to say, credit must go to the Red Wings for not losing their cool, not worrying and downright coming after both the Sharks and Nabokov with lots of shots and chances. Finally, Detroit got through with a late Robert Lang goal (33 seconds left in the 3rd) and then the winning goal in overtime by Matt Schneider to seal the deal. Detroit has tied the series and to be honest, I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! As I mentioned earlier, San Jose really could be moving on right now but its Detroit’s inability to lose their confidence and control that has really saved them. Their never give up attitude comes straight from Head Coach, Mike Babcock who clearly believes that this team is good enough for glory this time around. Quite frankly, if they can win games like this, who am I to doubt them?

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To me, Game 4 became Detroit’s game to win or lose due in large part to the return of Forward – Thomas Holmstrom. He isn’t flashy and some nights he isn’t even noticeable to someone not watching him. To the Wings though, his value is tremendous as it was last night with his typical ugly style of goal but hey, it turned the game around and clearly gave Detroit new hope after the 2nd period, going into the 3rd. I never thought I’d say this but due to the Sharks size, their blocking of shots and their clogging of center ice when they protect leads, Thomas Holmstrom may just be the key to the entire rest of the series because let’s face it, most of the goals have been sloppy on either goalie and that’s exactly the kind of game that Holmstrom is known to play. As long as he’s in the lineup and Todd Bertuzzi isn’t taking stupid penalties I really think after this heartbreaking loss, San Jose really has their work cut out for them now, having the next 2 out of 3 games in Detroit and having to win at least 1 of them to win the series. But that’s not the point. Game 4 was clearly the Sharks game to win or lose. They lost it, much in the same fashion as they lost Game 2 and now momentum favors Detroit as they return back to the Joe and I am actually picking them to win this series in 7 games now. That being said, it’s far from over and there is still a lot of strong hockey yet to be played in this series.

A word for a moment on Sharks Forward, Joe Thornton. He is without a doubt the key to the Sharks advancing. I knew he was good but this good? Man, what a passer. His ability to constantly find the open man in traffic has certainly made Detroit scratch their heads in this series. The fact that he can be a physical, power forward type, yet still play with such finesse and passing ability says it all. Thornton is special but have Detroit’s big comeback wins finally taken their toll on San Jose? We’ll find out in Game 5 but for now, the beer tastes extra sweet my friends…

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…HOCKEYTOWN HAS TIED IT UP!!!

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